About the BDA

About the BDA

The British Dragon Boat Racing Association (The BDA) is recognised by the UK Sports Councils as the national governing body of Dragon Boat Racing throughout Great Britain. The membership of the BDA consists of Registered Crew Members, Individual Members and Associate Members.

The British Dragon Boat Racing Association is registered in England as a company limited by guarantee without share capital, registered number 2697195.

The BDA controls the sport through its Executive Committee, which consists of appointed & elected BDA Members' representatives. The sport is managed by the elected members of the Executive Committee and where established, the Divisional, Regional and Area committees. This committee structure is supported by a voluntary Secretariat and appointed officials (Coaching Organisers, Sports Co-ordinators) who administer the affairs of the Association on a day to day basis.

The BDA Executive Committee is responsible for the policy, organisation and administration of the sport throughout Great Britain and for the selection of GB crews competing abroad. Without prejudice to its overall control, the BDA Executive pursues a policy of devolving the actual running of its non-national events to local groups. The BDA Executive retains central co-ordination and control of its National League and British National Championships Competitions.

As a recognised National Governing Body, the BDA is a founder member of both the IDBF and EDBF. In Great Britain, where Divisional, Regional or Area committees exist, the organisation of the sport becomes the responsibility of the committee concerned. Divisional Committees are responsible for their own Championship events and local races; the development of the sport in their areas and the selection of Representative crews. A Division is represented on the BDA Executive through its Chairholder.

The BDA has strong representation on both the EDBF and IDBF. Our President, Mike MacKeddie-Haslam, is a past IDBF President. Our Vice President, Mike Thomas, is the current IDBF President. Andy Menzies is a member of the EDBF Executive. Sue Menzies is the chair of the EDBF Youth Commission. Patrick Cosgrove, a BDA Member & Paddler, is chair of the IDBF Youth Commission and Nigel Bedford, a founder of Purple Warriors, is chair of the IDBF Para Athletes Commission.